Lens block



Feb. 20, 1951 M. SUBEN LENS BLOCK Filed Sept. 25, 1947 wwx INVENTORMORTEN SUBEN ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 20, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICELENS BLOCK Morten Suben, New York, N. Y., assignor to Lens- BlockCorporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York 3 Claims.

This invention relates to what are generally termed lens blocks forsupporting lenses in the operation of grinding and polishing the same.More particularly, the invention deals with a novel type of suction cupand compression ring for devices of this kind to insure a positiveattachment and seal of the block upon the lens.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from thefollowing description when taken together with the accompanying drawing,in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed, and inwhich the separate parts are designated by suitable reference charactersin each of the views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is an exploded sectional view Showing the several parts of theblock preparatory to assemblage with the suction cup of the blockattached to a lens.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing the block secured to thelens; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the suction cup and pressure ring in theposition of normal assemblage thereof and showing the center plug inelevation.

Block devices of the kind under consideration are used to support andhold a lens during the operation of grinding or polishing the same, asclearly set forth diagrammatically in my prior application Serial Number716,352, filed December 14, 1946, now abandoned. My present inventiondeals primarily with the structure of the suction cup and compressionring of the block device, as more fully hereinafter described.

The block comprises a suction cup part I0, a stud II, a compression ringI2, a cone I3 and a nut i all shown in position for assemblage in Fig.1, the stud II having its reduced threaded portion 55 coupled with theembedded threaded sleeve it of the cap. The outer surface of the sleeveis roughened, as indicated at I! to securely anchor the sleeve in theupwardly extending neck portion I8 of the cup.

The cup i6 is normally of a contour and shape indicated in Fig. 3 of thedrawing, and comprises a conical wall I9, terminating at its peripheryin a downwardly extending annular flange portion 231, preferably ofthinner wall construction than that of the conical wall I9, the flange20 having an inwardly bevelled outer wall 2| and a rounded lower surface22. The cup ID has a bottom wall 23 forming in combination with the wallit and flange 2|], a suction chamber 24. The wall 23 has centrallythereof a center marker 25 which acts as a gage in centralizing a lensor other workpiece, as at 26, in Figs. 1 and 2, on the block.

The stud II has a hardened pointer center 27 in the form of a plughaving a tapered fit in the stud II so that the same may be removed forreplacement in the event of wear. The plug 21, together with the stud II have alined tapered bores 28 and 29 respectively, which serve to guidea pin to the center of the plug 21 in operating the plug with the lensthereon over a grinding or polishing wheel, as is known in the art.

The ring I2 is normally of the general crosssectional contour shown inFig. 3, and like the suction cup I 0, is also composed of rubber orother compressable material. The ring has a lower bevelled surface 30adapted to engage the wall I9 of the cup in pressing the same upon thelens, or other workpiece, as later described. The ring I2 has anoutwardly flared annular wall portion 3| joining an inwardly contractedan- I .nular wall portion 32. The upper portion of the ring has aninwardly extending annular flange 33 adapted to fit freely over thecollar I8 of the suction cup, the flange 33 being directed downwardlyand inwardly to a slight extent, as is clearly shown in Fig. 3 of thedrawing.

The cone I3 comprises a conical metal body having an inwardly extendedannular flange 34 at its upper end, adapted to be engaged by the nut Il, and the lower end of the cone terminates in an outwardly, upwardlyand inwardly curled annular rim 35. The bevel of the inwardly contractedsurface 32 of the ring I2 is adapted to conform and fit snugly in thecone I3 so as to distribute the pressure of the cone equally on the ringin assemblage of the device as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

The nut I4 has a knurled or other roughened outer surface 36facilitating a firm grip thereon and the bore of the nut has at itsupper end, an outwardly bevelled or conical portion 31 facilitating theguide of the operating pin into the plug 27, as above stated.

In the use of the device, the suction cup with the stud attachedthereto, as shown in Fig. l, is first pressed onto the lens or otherworkpiece 26 and then centralized thereon. In this operation, attachmentof the cup is established primarily through the flange 20 and to aslight extent by the wall I9. After the suction cup has been properlycentered on the workpiece, the ring I2 is then placed in position, afterwhich the cone I3 is placed upon the ring I2 and then the nut I4 isattached to the stud II, the nut being tightened to force the conedownwardly to press the ring I2 upon the wall I9 of the cup I0, whereasthe center portion of the suction cup is drawn upwardly to materiallyincrease the suction in the chamber 24 and in the above opperation, twodefinite annular lines or bands of contact are established between thecup Ill and the lens or workpiece 26. First the annular line or band,approximately as at 38,'where the flange 20 engages the lens, and then aband substantially as at 39, where the wall IQ of the cup engages thelens. The latter band constitutes the primary seal of the cup on thelens and is maintained in this position by the pressure ring, exertingthe downward pressure on the wall [9 substantially where the bandengagement prevails at 39. The flange 20, on the other hand, alsoestablishes a firm engagement with the lens. However, the latter isintended primarily to effeet a seal to prevent moisture, grindingcompound or other material from extending onto the surface of the lensengaged by the block and thus forms what might be termed a guard or sealband. The pressure engagement of the flange 38 with the lens will beapparent from the outward flex'ure of the flange '20, as clearlyillustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing. In other words, as pressure isapplied to the cup, the flange 29 is flexed outwardly and when soflexed, has within its own structure, the tendency to move inwardly,thus establishing the said firm engagement and avoiding the necessity ofapplying pressure to the flanged portion of the cup. In other words, thering I2 is of considerably less diameter than the outside diameter ofthe cup so as to locate the applied pressure of the ring substantiallymid-way between the bottom wall 23 or the collar 18 and the flange 26.

When the block is attached in the manner shown in Fig. 2, or as statedabove, the block becomes substantially immovable from the lens orworkpiece 26, regardless of the stresses or strains to which the sameare subjected. To remove the block, the nut 14 is loosened, the cone andring removed, after which the cone can be easily removed from the lens.In referring to removal, above, loosening of the parts is all that isactually necessary. However, in use of the device, it is desirable todetach the parts for cleaning preparatory for another use thereof, thelatter being true particularly from the standpoint of removing grindingcompound which may collect on outer surfaces of the block.

It will be understood that my improved block is adapted for use uponlenses or other workpieces having surfaces of irregular curvatures orirregular contour, at least within the limits adapting mounting of thesuction cup thereon. With the irregular curvature or irregular contour,the yieldable ring flexes itself as well as the cup establishingengagement with the contour of the lens or workpiece. It will beunderstood in this connection that the pressure of the cone on the ringconverges the yieldable material of the ring and cup in establishing thecomplete annular or circumferential engagement with the surfaces inquestion in establishing a through seal.

Having fully described my invention, what I 4 claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device for supporting workpieces in the operation of grinding andpolishing the same, said device comprising a yieldable suction cup, apressure ring of yieldable material, a rigid pressure cone, meansdetachably coupling a stud with the upper central portion of the cup, anut in threaded engagement with the stud for applying downward pressureon the cone while pulling upwardly on the stud and center portion of thecup, the periphery of the cup having a downwardly extending flange, saidflange being adapted to be flexed outwardly in engagement with thesurface of a workpiece, said pressure ring being arranged between thecup and cone and of less diameter than the cup to apply pressure to thecup inwardly of said flange to establish a primary annular band ofcontact with the workpiece inwardly of and. in spaced relation to theflange engagement with said workpiece, said ring having bevelled upperand lower surfaces joined by an intermediate, outwardly flared surface,the lower bevelled surface being engaged by the cup, the upper bevelledsurface being engaged by the cone, the cup having around said stud anannular collar, and said ring having an inwardly extending flangefltting freely around the collar of said cup.

2. In devices of the class described, a yieldable conical suction cup,an annular pressure ring of yieldable material, means adjustable on thecup for applying pressure to the ring and that part of the cup engagedby said ring, said pressure ring comprising upper and lower bevelledannular surfaces, the bevel of one surface being greater than the other,said bevelled surfaces being joined by an outwardly bevelled annularsurface, the greatest outside diameter of the ring being less than thegreatest outside diameter of said cup, and the bore of said ring havingan inwardly extending annular flange.

3. In suction cup devices of the character described, a pressure ring ofyieldable material, said ring having a lower inwardly bevelled surface,an upper bevelled surface of an angularity different from the angularityof the lower bevelled surface, and the upper portion of the ring havingan inwardly extending annular flange.

MORTEN SUBEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 998,718 Schultze July 25, 19111,147,102 Knabe July 20, 1915 1,448,690 Hetzer et a1 Mar. 13, 19231,871,113 Compton et a1 Aug. 9, 1932 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date544,037 Germany Feb. 12, 1932

